How do you think we feel? The weekday breakfast and lunch business on Roosevelt Island is minimal to say the least because of the obvious factors of there being no commercial high rises and most people leaving the island to go to work. Putting the breakfast cart steps from our door will just cut into the little business that exists. I will say this, before we opened, (about 5 years ago) we were originally going to be just a bar and grill and not be open for breakfast. Long time residents as well as the new residents in south town asked us if we could carve off a piece and do a bagel and breakfast space where they could grab a breakfast sandwich, bagel and coffee before heading into work because the area lacked such a place. For the good of the community and in an attempt to to give the residents what they wanted we did just that and built out the deli/breakfast, take out side. We could have just as easily not done it and just opened around Noon as the bar and grill, saving ourselves a ton of overhead on not having a cook, cashier, deli worker there from 7am every day as well as turning on the AC in the summer and heat in the winter for an extra 5 hours every day. People may not care that we invested all that we did into giving the residents what they asked for when we opened but clearly having the truck there will take away from our morning business. It would be nice to see the residents support the brick and mortar establishments that believed in the future of the island and invested here years ago.

We love and appreciate businesses that are responsive to the community's wants and needs. That being said, if your coffee is better, your bagels and sandwiches tastier and your service good, you'll have no problem attacting the majority of the customers. Who'd buy their coffee from a cart if it wasn't any good and great coffee was waiting right next door? For years, RI offered exclusive leases to merchants and the residents suffered for it: bad food and bad prices with no incentive to improve because there was no competition allowed. It's terrific to now have choices and be able to vote with our dollars. If a food cart, which in my experience often has stale food and burnt coffee, is eating into your business, it's not the cart you have to worry about. Figure out what they're offering that's so good that's causing people to spend their money there instead of with you.

It's that much more convenience, that much closer to the train to grab a quick cup of coffee. Ever hear of the saying "location, location, location"? I'm not concerned about our coffee, bagels or breakfast sandwiches not being good enough. It's a matter of convenience when someone is running a little late or in a rush. It's easier to not walk the extra 100ft. Thats what they are offering. I cannot move our deli counter any closer to the train.

Not to be a jerk... but I've stopped into your place in the morning and ordered a bagel with egg and whatnot... the order was messed up a few times, I've had to wait a long time at other times... the breakfast cart isn't the reason I wont be coming back... I've had similar experiences when ordering food at a table at night. During the summer I sat outside with 2 friends and an hour and a half after ordering our food never made it (per the waitress, the kitchen was short staffed...). Came in for breakfast a few months back with some friends - one of which ordered pancakes which were supposed to come with fruit, it didn't, he asked for it, he got his plate back with a paper thin slice of cantaloupe and a slice of orange that was more peal than flesh...

Staff are really nice, beers are cheap. It's a good spot to sit and catch a few minutes of a game. But kitchen service is miserable. That's the critique from this particular loser... It's too easy to jump on the subway/tram and get a good meal for your money. Or, hit the trellis, where you're getting exactly what you pay for. ANY competition (even a food cart) will detract from your business. I agree with PeaceandPlenty, Westviewer, and YetAnotherRIer: You should focus on improving the products, the service, the atmosphere... not the competition.

Well Salvatore hoo . Welcome to the new Roosevelt island. If this was maybe 10 15 years ago ye people on this island would understand your situation and care about it.and maybe try to help you. But this is the new island where everyone is out for their best interest as long as they are not effectived in their back accounts they dont care about issues on the island.as long as they are not getting hurt by it.

If things were so community oriented in the past what happened to main street. Just 3 weeks ago you were also railing that Riverwalk should kick in for pier repair.

I can see Salvatore from Riverwalk's point of view on why the cart kind of affects an investment they made based on community feedback. On the other hand I have to say I see don't disagree with points on quality, I occasionally trek to Astoria for bagels because quality is much better than on island. Its NY a good bagel should require so much work.

Yes years ago this island was like cheers the bar on that tv program.where everyone knew your name we went on the tram and the red bus and everyone knew each other and were friends with each other but no more.this is the ill effects of hipsters with money taking over the island.all this island is missing is a tie restaurant

Gentrification? I doubt if a RIRA-organized conference on that will be happening any time soon. Instead, there should be a RIRA-organized conference on quick and easy ways to "take the money and run" i.e. how to cash in on rising property values, how to flip and flee...

Here's a listing re an "Anti-Gentrification Arts Market" - just in time for Christmas shopping needs - held on 7 December 2013 in Frisco http://www.missionmission.org/2013/12/07/anti-gentrification-arts-market/

I try not to ride the tram.because the people on the tram are not my type. The people on the subway are more like me. The real new yorkers. . If I see more than one black person on the tram thats alot. Wow is this place changing

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Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

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